Fans flock to see Giants World Series Trophy in Mount Shasta

Wednesday

More than two feet of snow did nothing to dampen the excitement of more than 200 Giants fans who shoveled out Sunday for a glimpse of their favorite team’s World Series trophy.

More than two feet of snow did nothing to dampen the excitement of more than 200 Giants fans who shoveled out Sunday for a glimpse of their favorite team’s World Series trophy.

“It was a unique opportunity,” said Mount Shasta Recreation and Parks District administrator Mike Rodriguez, who was one of the people responsible for bringing the trophy to Siskiyou County. “This was the only small community the trophy stopped in during its tour. It was really special.”

Because of the smaller venue, fans were able to spend a few minutes admiring the gleaming gold trophy, and got to take photos of it with their own cameras. Some fans even got back in line and visited the trophy twice.

Among those eager to catch a glimpse of the 20 pound, 24 inch trophy were Mount Shasta residents Henry Barnum and his father, Curtis.

“We wouldn’t miss this... we even cancelled church today,” Curtis said with a smile. “I’ve been a Giants fan for as long as I can remember... We have a friend in San Francisco, and we stay with him and go to at least two Giants games a year.”

Henry, a member of the local Junior Giants organization, said he’s also been a Giants fan his entire life.

“He didn’t have a choice,” interjected his dad, poking him in the ribs.

Taking the prize for coming the furthest to see the trophy were Tim and AJ Benack from Vancouver, Washington. They drove over 350 miles on snowy, icy Interstate 5 to be at the Mount Shasta City Park at 10 a.m. sharp.

“We left at two this morning to be here,” said Tim. “Our parents are from the Bay Area, and we grew up watching games with our grandpa, who was at the earthquake World Series... he passed away about 10 years ago, but we brought him along today,” Tim added, pointing to a frame loaded with pictures of his grandfather and other Giants memorabilia.

Also in line for a turn to see the trophy up close and personal was McCloud resident Paul Castillo, who drove over the hill through snow and slush to arrive when the doors opened.

“I lived in San Francisco when the Giants came from New York,” he said proudly. “I’ve been a fan since 1958, when I used to go see them at Seal Stadium.”

Accompanying the trophy in a truck painted with the Giants’ logo and “World Campions” painted on the side was Weed native Nick Zanotto, who is now the inside sales and services manager for the San Francisco Giants.

“It feels awesome to be able to bring this trophy back and share it with the community I grew up in,” Zanotto said Sunday. “It’s really humbling to be a part of it all. There’s such a strong fan base here, and it was important to me that everyone gets the chance to appreciate this piece of history.”

Zanotto is a 1999 Weed High School graduate. After high school, Zanotto attended St. John’s University in New York and obtained a bachelor’s degree in sports management, he said.

He got his start in baseball with the Stockton Ports before moving to the major leagues and working with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres.

The Giants have always been Zanotto’s favorite team, and this will be his third season in San Francisco.

“This is a childhood dream of mine, and even more so to be here when the Giants won the World Series for the first time,” Zanotto said. “It’s pretty amazing.”

As an inside sales and services manager, Zanotto works year round, helping people procure season tickets and book luxury suites. He also organizes special and group events.

“Basically, I make sure people are getting out to the park,” he said.

A combination of Zanotto’s ties to Siskiyou County and a request put in by Rodriguez when he saw the trophy during its January appearance in Redding brought the trophy to Mount Shasta.

Lots of other people helped, as well, Rodriguez said. He thanked the trophy committee, including Mount Shasta city manager Ted Marconi; Mount Shasta police chief Parish Cross; Steve Rogers; Larry, Lula and Andrew Campbell; Todd Kamala; Ann Rutherford and Sharon Tucker for their efforts, as well as the MSRPD staff.

He also thanked Ray’s Food Place, Pepsi of Mount Shasta and Burger Express for their support.

“I’m so grateful to everyone that helped bring this unique opportunity to Siskiyou County, and for all the enthusiastic, committed fans who braved the storm and road conditions to get there,” Rodriguez said. “It was a really cool experience.”

The trophy will finish its nationwide tour and return to AT&T park for the Giants’ first home game of the season against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 8.

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